Get to know Corina and Dimitrie
Dimitrie Comanescu
Owner & CEO
With an early passion for sports and active and healthy living, Dimitrie is a former Personal Trainer who worked with adults helping them reach their maximum fitness levels, as well as a former Physical Education teacher for daycare children. His interest for sports and fitness transcended into swimming, and he is now using his experience and dedication to make swimming accessible to as many children and adults as possible.
With a background in Marketing and Fitness, Dimitrie brings his rich and unique experience to the Aqua Life team. His entrepreneurial approach is both inspirational and innovating making sure Aqua Life is always at the forefront of Aquatics, through patronaging and welcoming innovating approaches to swimming.
Corina Oaches
Owner & Director of Operations
Having over 5 years of competitive swimming background, Corina is devoted to create programs and services that align with Aqua Life’s mission which is to enrich every child, teen, and adult’s aquatic experience by meeting their individual needs. What’s important to Corina is creating meaningful relationships with her team, clients and community. She excels at passing on her knowledge and method to the team and loves to see her staff become incredible swim teachers. Having a background in Psychology, Human Relations and Human Resources, Corina brings to the table her unique touch in building a winning team, and superior customer care practice.
Karen Smith
Client Care Specialist and Sales Coordinator
Karen is dedicated to create the best customer experience possible. From the first inquiry, to every lesson you attend, she is focused on making your experience at The Aqua Life second to none. She lives outside of Almonte with her husband and two school-age children. The family enjoys a variety of recreational activities, including camping and swimming. Karen is also an avid runner, and has trained for and participated in half marathons, 5k runs and 10k runs. In the summer she enjoys water skiing and swimming, while in the winter she plays broomball with her friends.
Sepide Nikzare
Head Swim Instructor
Swimming since 9 years old, Sep brings an extensive and rich background in aquatics. Swimming as a competitive swimmer for the University of Tehran’s swim team and later on, being selected for Iran’s National Swim team, Sep won many medals being six times gold medalist in breaststroke, and winning four times first place in swim relay. She moved on to become a swim coach for 2 years at the Al Zahra University in Tehran. Swimming has always been a passion for Sep, and she has been teaching swimming for over 14 years. With a Bachelors in Phys Ed and Exercise Physiology followed up by a Masters in Exercise Physiology and a 2 years PhD in Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology, Sep will bridge the science and technique of swimming with your potential, by making you a better and more robust swimmer. When not teaching, you will always see Sep somewhere on the pool deck, helping and coaching our awesome instructors. Her warm and nurturing nature, make her such a joy to hop in the water with!
Rosanna Versace
Revenue & Scheduling Strategist
Rosanna is helping in the office with administration and customer inquiries. With a wealth of experience in hospitality, Rosanna also brings a genuine love for helping people into Aqua Life with her. She’s also the proud mother to two young daughters. At home, they enjoy playing dress-up and dancing. Friendly and easy-going, she loves to build real relationships when she works with clients. Rosanna looks forward to speaking with you!
Eduardo Montez
Head Swim Instructor
With aquatics as a cornerstone of Eduardo’s life, he will be contributing expertise in all facets of water towards your swimming education and abilities with the Aqualife program. Having a waterpolo career that includes medals in the Jr. Pan Am games with team Canada, CAMEX games with team El Salvador, and OUA championships with Carleton University to name a few, proficiency, and familiarity with the nuanced dynamics of swimming are well understood, well developed, and well-refined to suit your needs. A then pursuit of further expertise and knowledge within the profession of lifeguarding and swimming, Eduardo has been in roles as a volunteer for drowning prevention and provincial public education, a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor Trainer and Examiner, Swim Club Program Coordinator, and Swim Camp Program Director, accumulating a robust array of skills, drills, techniques, and tricks of the trade, to set you up for success. Additionally, a Carleton University Degree in Psychology; a Minor in Sociology, allows Eduardo a tool kit to help clients overcome any personal mental obstacles that can arise when learning to swim. Getting you to flourish, whether you want to be swimming in the pool, at the cottage by the lake, competing with yourself and others, or being out at sea with the waves, Eduardo is excited and eager to help you reach any, and all, of your goals for the water.
Joel Brian Dodge
Senior Swim Instructor
Joel is completing his second year at Carlton University in Psychology. He has been a part of the Aqua Life family for two years now. He has over 5 years of experience in teaching kids and adults how to swim, coupled with 5 years of competitive swimming under his belt! His mature and analytical approach towards his swimmers, help him deliver highly focused and tailored swim classes to his students. His gentle and caring nature make him a real superstar amongst our students. Joel is also an avid animal lover, especially cats!
Laura Robb
Senior Swim Instructor
Laura is attending Ottawa University studying Health Sciences, and is working towards a career in Occupational Therapy. She has been a member of the Aqua Life family for over 3 years. She has a synchronized swimming background, and competed for over 5 years. For as long as she can remember, Laura has always loved to be in, on, or around the water. In her classes, Laura brings her calm and nurturing nature, while focusing on her swimmers’ progress, safety and comfort. Her welcoming demeanour and patience make her an outstanding instructor for all our beginner and advanced swimmers alike. Laura’s approach is methodic and mature in her teaching, and once they’ve met her, her students never want to leave her classes!
Paige Roughley
Head Swim Instructor
Paige started competitively swimming at the age of 6 and is still competing following the end of her university swimming career at Dalhousie University. She has coached competitively as well as non-competitively for more than 6 years and hopes to spread her love of swimming for her entire life. Paige recently graduated with a Bachelors in International Development and minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. She hopes to eventually work with women and children fleeing unsafe living conditions and continue teaching the sport she loves most. She is very excited to meet you all!
Andrew Li
Swim Instructor
Andrew is a high school student at Earl of March S.S. He has started swimming at 4 years old. He swam competitively for 4 years. After finishing his diploma, he hopes to pursue a career in Medicine or Software engineer. Andrew loves being in and around the water. Andrew is passionate about staying active and healthy. He also loves to listen to and play music. He brings a fun attitude, as well as being able to calmly find ways to improve his students' skills. Andrew is excited to learn and have fun while teaching in the pool.
Mary Mohamadi
Swim Instructor
Mary is currently studying for a master of applied science in chemical engineering at Queen’s University. She is crazy about the water and she has been swimming since she was 4 years old. Mary started to swim competitively when she was 8, and won many medals in national swimming competitions in Iran. Also, during her undergraduate studies she was a member of University of Tehran’s swim team, and Sep and her were teammates back then! Her competitive swimming background helps her uncover weaknesses in swimmers and improve their techniques more effectively to become better swimmers. She is full of energy and love when working with kids. In her spare time, Mary enjoys playing tennis, kayaking, swimming in lakes or any other water place!
Moti Nemati
Swim Instructor
Moti began swimming at a very young age and has developed a lifelong love for swimming and sports in general. During his years a a competitive swimmer, Moti won several championship titles, and awards in swimming and triathlons. In addition to his success as a competitive swimmer, Moti has also shared his experience and expertise as a sports coach for fourteen years, including coaching a competitive swimming team for four years. Aside his love and passion for sports, Moti studied Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, and worked as an aircraft engine mechanic for 8 years. However, his love for sports and coaching eventually took a central stage in his professional life. Moti's passion for sports goes so far that in his spare time you can find him not only coaching or playing sports (such as swimming, tennis, fitness etc) but also analyzing and studying the body's mechanics and sports psychology. Moti's vocational dream in life is to encourage people to always strive for a healthier lifestyle. He believes that once a person discovers their passion for the sport or physical activity that they love, they will continue to practice it out of pure joy and fun, rather than an obligation. With swimming being Moti’s own personal favourite sport, he is delighted to be part of The Aqua Life Swimming Academy’s team to help his students grow a lifelong love for water. If you are just starting your aquatic journey, or if you are looking to improve your swimming and achieve optimal performance, Moti will be there to give you the best chances to succeed.
John Geyer
Swim Instructor
John is completing his second year attending Carleton University for Industrial Design. Originally from Vancouver, he has been swimming since he was 4 years old. He has been a part of competitive swimming and Waterpolo for the past 12 years and has experience coaching swim team and Waterpolo. Swimming has been a large part of his life and he seeks to help everyone find the same love for the water as him. In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, drawing and playing guitar.
Gemma Harkness
Swim Instructor
I am in my first year at Ottawa University in the Health Science program. I have been swimming since I was little, and I love it so much. I did one year of competitive swimming when I was younger and after I stopped doing that, I decided to continue swimming, and my lifeguard training. I worked my way through each level, eventually receiving my NLS certification. After that, I followed additional training to become a swim instructor. Soon after I completed my aquatic training, I became a swim instructor and lifeguard at a local pool in my hometown. I worked there for about a year and a half, and loved every class. I love working with kids, and it brings me so much joy to see their improvements in swimming. Through that experience I have gotten to understand children more, and learned how to cater to each swimmer specifically. I am so excited to be working with The Aqua Life!
Angela Zhuang
Swim Instructor
Angela started swimming from a very young age, and she joined a competitive club at the age of 9. After competing for around 6 years, she feels a passion for swimming and being around the water. Having achieved the provincial level, she focuses on making swimmers conformable and efficient. Angela specializes in backstroke, which is also her favourite stroke. She is currently in high school, so she can still relate to individual students’ perspectives on learning. She has earned valuable teaching experience from encounters with different people of all sorts of ages - through volunteering and teaching private lessons. With her patience and resourcefulness, she looks forward to meeting new students and aiding them in mastering their ability around the water.
Mojdeh Sohrabi
Swim Instructor
Hi! My name is Moj, and I'm very excited to be your Swim Instructor! 😁 I pursued a bachelor degree in French Literature at the University of Tehran, and I also played piano and sang for the Tehran Conservatory. I am also a mom of two amazing boys, and becoming a mom has been the best thing ever. The love for swimming came very early on in my life as I learned how to swim during my childhood years. For me, swimming was a source of fun and happiness, and it brought me so much joy as a child. Teaching French at a language school made me discover my passion for teaching and working with kids. I started to teach piano and swimming lessons as a private swim instructor. The time I spent as a swim instructor meant a lot to me, and I enjoyed it more than anything. I knew at that time that I had found my passion and my dream, and nothing could have stopped me. I love children and I love the water! Teaching swimming makes me happy and fulfilled, and I want to share this feeling and the joy that comes with it with every child, teen or adult wanting to learn how to swim. I'm here to share my passion, and teach everyone to love the water while staying safe.
Ayda Subasi
Swim Instructor
Hi! I'm Ayda and I am a grade 12 student at A.Y. Jackson S.S. I've loved swimming my whole life and I started swimming lessons when I was 4 years old. I did 3 years of competitive swimming, as well as 1 year of synchronized swimming and my lifeguard training. Swimming is a big passion of mine and I am so excited to be able to help people of all ages learn how to swim in a safe and fun environment. In my free time I love painting, playing the piano and reading. I am so excited to be working with Aqua Life and I can’t wait to see everyone in the water!
Abby Barrera
Swim Instructor
Abegail started swimming at the age of 6 months and ever since her passion for swimming has grown immensely! She completed all swimming levels with The City Of Toronto and has 5 years of competitive swimming experience. At the age of 14 she volunteered as an Aquatic Program Assistant / Swim Instructor Assistant for 2 years and eventually worked her way up with The City Of Toronto to become a Lifeguard / Swim Instructor at the age of 16. Her 5 years of teaching swimming has brought her so much enjoyment. She recently graduated from the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant program at Centennial College in April 2022 and is currently searching for employment opportunities in this field. Her dream is to one day become a Physiotherapist. Abegail always ensures the safety and engagement of her students at all times during her lessons. Her bright and bubbly personality influences the positive learning experiences for her students. She is excited to begin her journey with The Aqua Life Swim Academy and cannot wait to meet you all!
Caleb Abbott
Swim Instructor
Caleb is attending Saint Francis Xavier University and studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is currently in his second year of his four-year program. Caleb has been a lifeguard and competitive swim coach for the last 4 years. Before this he was a competitive swimmer from the age of 7 until 18. Caleb is passionate about coaching and helping people learn new skills. He is enthusiastic about staying active and healthy. He has an energetic and friendly attitude. Caleb is excited to help with swimmers' understanding and development in the water.
Kirstin Lang
Swim Instructor
Kristin began swimming competitively at the age of 7, and has had a passion for aquatics ever since. She attended several national championships between the ages of 12-18, and there won medals in the 1500m freestyle and 100m breaststroke events. Since then, she has pursued coaching and lifeguarding for the past two years while she works toward a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at Queen's University. She is also an intern with the Strength & Conditioning department at Queen's, helping to coach the football and rugby teams, and is involved with Revved Up Kingston, which is a community-based exercise program for individuals living with disabilities. Her well-rounded coaching experience and outgoing personality helps her connect with swimmers of all ability levels and backgrounds! Outside of work, Kirstin is a member of the Queen's fencing team, and loves chai lattes and going for walks. She looks forward to seeing you on deck!
Bridget Rielly
Swim Instructor
I'm Bridget Rielly, and I am in the third year of my BA in English and History at Carleton University. I have always enjoyed literature with special interests in nineteenth-century modernism and Shakespearean drama. I hope to eventually pursue a Master’s degree in Education to teach secondary school. I began teaching in high school when I started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor in my hometown. I began swimming at the age of 4 in my grandparent’s pool and took SwimKids lessons at my local pool facility. I would retake several lessons consecutively to complete difficult skills like the front dive and breaststroke due to an ongoing love for the sport and desire to become a lifeguard. I taught for two years both Swimkids classes and private lessons with individuals with special needs and of all ages. I prioritize safety and structure within my classes while providing a welcoming and enthusiastic approach to learning skills. I think that students learn best with constant moral support and by catering to specific swimmer needs. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and walking my dog in the park. I am very excited to begin teaching at Aqualife Swim Academy and I look forward to seeing you in the pool!
Duwon Yoo
Swim Instructor
Hello, my name is Duwon. I am a recent graduate of York University. I have been swimming since 7, and stopped in my teen years. 2021 brought back my love for swimming, which is when I decided to jump back into the water! Although it has been a long hiatus, I have earned my Aquatic Leadership courses through continuous practice, and my passion for swimming. While I am excited to be your instructor, I will always maintain both safety and communication as our #1 priority during our lessons. It is my absolute passion to teach not only younger students but mature swimmers as well. Aside from swimming, I also love being a tutor for grades 3-8 teaching English and mathematics. I look forward to seeing you guys in the pool!
Tayssir Benchoubane
Swim Instructor
Tayssir started swimming at a very young age in order to combat a spinal malformation, he never stopped since. when he began to swim competitively, he realized that he not only wanted to practice swimming but he also felt the need to teach it. When he arrived to Canada for his economics and political science studies at Carleton University, he quickly got involved with the world of swim instructing and lifeguarding as he felt he could help people who struggle like he once did during his childhood. He is passionate about teaching, and classes with him are always fun and exciting!
Julia Vyshemyrska
Swim Instructor
Hey! My name is Julia. I'm a very active person, I love traveling, mountains and the sea. I've been swimming since I was four years old, and now I would like to share with other people everything that I know about swimming and aquatics. I have a lot of achievements in swimming, during my competitive years. I am a multiple champion of my city in Ukraine on short distances as well as in open water. I can't wait to meet you in my classes, and help you love the water as much as I do!
Vikram Khanzode
Swim Instructor
Hello, my name is Vikram. I am an international graduate student at the University of Ottawa working towards a master’s degree in Systems Science & Engineering as well as serving as a lifeguard and swim instructor in the university’s aquatics department. I began swimming competitively when I was 4 years old back in India. Although I soon switched to playing basketball for my school and club, I was drawn back to swimming to rehabilitate myself from a severe ankle injury resulting from playing basketball. That is when I started appreciating swimming again. Since then, I have taught many of my friends how to swim and I strongly believe that swimming is a survival skill that everyone should learn, besides being one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy. Finally, my favorite style of swimming is the butterfly stroke because it is physically intense and very challenging to execute yet sublime to watch.
The Aqua Life sets out to create everything I thought a classroom should be through a learning experience that nurtures trust, breakthroughs, and joy.